The Oceanside Generals are slated to play their first game of the 2021-22 Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season on Sept. 11.
As provincial government and public health authorities continue to relax COVID-19 restrictions, the league, which cancelled play last year, will open the season with the first regular game featuring the new franchise Lake Cowichan Kraken and the Westshore Wolves on Sept. 8.
The season’s complete schedule has now been posted at the VIJHL website https://www.vijhl.com/.
The schedule is still subject to any changes as directed by provincial authorities.
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The Generals open their season on the road, travelling to the Comox Valley to face the Glacier Kings at the Comox Valley Sports Centre.
Assistant coach Max Creighton said the Generals will hold their main annual summer camp in August and have some strong young talent coming out to try out for the team.
“We have a good core group of returning players coming back from last year so we look to continue as a strong team in the North Division alongside our rivals in Campbell River,” said Creighton.
The Generals held a skills and identification camp in early June to idenfity potential players.
“We have signed a few guys and traded for a few guys following that camp which has added some depth and goaltending as well,” said Creighton.
The league has expanded and included the Kraken and Port Alberni Bombers.
“It will be an interesting year with the expansion teams joining the league,” said Creighton, who will be behind the bench assisting head coach Dan Lemmon.
“Recruiting and such got more competitive with an extra two teams in the league,” he said. “All in all we are looking forward to the season and hoping we can welcome all of our amazing fans back to the Howie Meeker arena come our first home game in September.”
If you can’t get out to the games – you can watch via HockeyTV at https://www.hockeytv.com/home.
The Generals are currently seeking billet homes for the coming season. Billet families are given stipend of $600 and two tickets for each home game. Players will be in need of homes from the end of August through to the end of the season.
Please contact Tara Hannibal at 250-619-6409 or by email tarahannibal4@gmail.com for more information.